Environmental sustainability in the design process: evaluation from the architects perspective - the case of Grande Vitória (ES)

Abstract

This article aims at presenting the results of a research that consisted on characterizing architects who work in the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region (GVMR) according to their perception and application of concepts and technologies related to environmental sustainability. This research also identified the main challenges faced by these professionals on the subject, reasons for adopting such measures and their profiles when it comes to the sustainable development process, addressing the theme from a perspective still unexplored locally, since most of the researches debate the subject in the execution and use of the construction phases, rarely approaching the design stage. This study was based on the bi-graphic reference on environmental sustainability at Building Construction Industry and on data collected from the application of a questionnaire to a sample of 174 active architects at GVMR, approaching and discussing the theme of sustainable environmental development from these results. Respondents were classified into two groups: professionals working in the market (G1) and those working in the academic area (G2). The data obtained suggest that the G2 group demonstrates greater knowledge and awareness about the topic, given that their responses generally point to the prioritization of building performance, compared to the G1 group, which indicated a professional practice more focused on the trends imposed by the market. The main challenges reported by the respondents were: low availability in the market; high cost of materials and technologies considered sustainable; and low demand from customers who request or accept such methods.